LDWF Celebrates National Hunting & Fishing Day

Aug. 16, 2012 - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day (NHFD) on September 22. This year celebrates 30 years of bringing families to the outdoors.

NHFD is a national event celebrated by all 50 states on the fourth Saturday in September. It was created in 1972 when Congress passed two bills establishing a specific day to celebrate the conservation contributions of our nation’s hunters and anglers. Forty years later, the events are still going strong.

LDWF introduced its first NHFD event in 1982 at the Monroe district office. In the following years, three more locations were developed in Baton Rouge, Minden and Woodworth. Today, more than 10,000 people statewide attend the celebrations, creating the largest public event for the department.

“Our goal is to bring people outside, enjoy the activities we offer and hopefully, send them home with a renewed interest and appreciation for Louisiana’s natural resources," said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “The quality of time families and friends spend together at National Hunting and Fishing Day is unique, and we know this because we see the experience passed on to younger generations. Parents who spent time at NHFD as kids, are now bringing their children to the events. That speaks for the value of the experience.”

All four events are free. The number and types of exhibits vary at each location but all include exhibits on LDWF management programs, shooting and fishing demonstrations, exhibits from local chapters of Ducks Unlimited, Safari Club and CCA, and supporting businesses from the local communities. Attendees have the chance to try their skills at the shooting ranges, fishing ponds and boating activities, as well as learn about wildlife with live animals.

Another great aspect of NHFD is the food. Louisiana is known for its food and NHFD serves it up in traditional style for everyone to taste. Local businesses and chefs cook up venison, catfish, shrimp, alligator and pig with the flare only Louisiana can offer.

For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day, contact one of the four locations or go to www.wlf.louisiana.gov[3].